Asilin: Well...I promised darkspirals I would post this if she posted the next chapter of her story up...so here you go!

Dru: Baka.

Asilin: What? So I'm a little addicted to the story. Wanna make something of it? >draws a dagger>

Dru: shrugs Not really. Just saying.

Asilin: >glares>

Chapter Five

Asilin

Asilin sighed in relief as she entered her apartment. This was one of the few places she felt she wasn't being watched and evaluated. She tossed her coat on the computer chair and motioned for Hiei to take a seat on the couch.

"Are you going to undo these cuffs, onna?" he asked arrogantly.

She smirked and shook here head before turning toward the kitchen. "Don't think so. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time you were here."

To her shock, she suddenly had a chain around her neck. "I suggest, onna, you remember that I'm a demon and no longer have to hide my speed anymore." His hot breath tickled her ear. Asilin repressed the urge to shiver.

"Damn you," she hissed.

"Are you going to get these things off me?"

"As soon as you let go." Suddenly the chain was gone. She turned to glare at Hiei, only to find him back on the couch. She grumbled under her breath about cocky, arrogant youkai. But she walked over to the couch and unlocked the cuffs, ignoring Hiei's gaze.

"Where are you going?" Hiei asked as she walked toward her room.

"To get changed," she stated bluntly. "I'm sick of this dress, and it's annoying to wear something that's torn anyway." She gestured to the rips around her stomach and the way the skirt was hanging in strips. She turned back around to her room, but instantly felt Hiei's hands around her waist. She stiffened slightly as his rough hands touched the bare skin of her stomach.

"You look good in the dress though," he whispered into her ear.

"Good for me," she growled, wrenching herself from his grasp. "Now if she'll excuse me." She stalked into her room and shut the door firmly. 'What is that youkai doing?' she wondered slightly before heading to her dresser.

When she emerged from her room, she was in a pair of navy blue cotton shorts and a white tank top. However, she still had a dagger at her waist. Hiei eyed her from his lounging position on the couch. "What?" she snapped, placing her hands on her hips. "It's my home, and this is what I wear. Deal with it."

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to."

"One question though. Why the dagger?"

She arched an eyebrow. "I'm rarely without a dagger. I feel more comfortable with it."

"You don't trust me." He said it flatly.

"Can you blame me?"

"Hn." Asilin rolled her eyes at his usual response. She padded softly into the kitchen and grabbed a root beer from the fridge. After a moment, she grabbed another.

"Here." She tossed it to Hiei. He looked at it suspiciously. "It's just root beer." She drained her can and threw it in the trash. Hiei just set his down on the floor. Asilin shrugged before heading to the computer area. Here she pulled out a whetting stone and began to sharpen her weapon.

"Onna?" Hiei said after a moment.

"Don't call my that," she replied absently.

He ignored that. "Do you only know how to fight with those daggers?"

She looked up at him and frowned. "No, I'm pretty good at hand-to-hand. It's just that daggers are quicker. Why?"

"Let's see how good you are," he said, rising and discarding his cloak.

"Works for me," she replied with a smirk.

They moved to the empty section of the apartment. Circling each other, they kept their feet apart, hands spread, and crouched low. Their eyes never broke contact. Whoever broke first was bound to lose.

At last, they leapt at each other and grappled int eh middle of their self-made circle. Fists went flying, feet shot out, and both rolled, twisted, and moved in what seemed to be a perfectly matched rhythm.

Then, to Asilin's horror, she threw a punch too hard, throwing her balance off. Hiei caught the mistake and smirked before kicking her legs out from underneath her. She fell hard, and he pinned her to the ground beneath him by holding her arms. Their chests heaved as they both struggled for breath. "I believe I've won again, onna," Hiei finally got out.

Asilin growled at him but stopped as soon as she met his eyes again. His crimson eyes were darker than normal and full of emotion. Her grey eyes widened, and she struggled to get up.

"Hiei, get off of me," she hissed, wishing desperately she had kept her dagger on her.

"Why?" he said huskily. He began to lower his face towards hers.

"Hiei, please get off!" she insisted, her voice filled with panic.

He frowned as he rolled off of her. She bolted to the window on the other side of the room. "What the hell is wrong?!" he demanded.

"It's a weakness. You and I are fighters and can't allow ourselves weaknesses. I don't want to worry about anyone, and I don't want anyone to worry about me. We can be friends, but nothing more." She smiled wanly at him.

He snorted. "Too bad you don't really believe that."

"How would you know?" she sneered.

"I know," he said ominously, a spot glowing beneath the bandanna that wrapped around his forehead.

"A jagan," Asilin breathed, her eyes wide. "You're a Jaganashi?!"

"Obviously. Now tell me why I'm sensing a betrayal on your mind."

Asilin wrapped her arms around herself defensively and looked out the window. "It was my first year in the agency. My family starts training earlier than most others, so we all end up getting in one of the government agencies at an earlier age. I was 16 at the time. My partner was 20. I thought the world of him, and he seemed to feel the same way. He was good looking, smart, funny, everything a girl could want. Well, after a few months as partners, he left the office suddenly during the lunch hour. He wouldn't tell me where he was going, so I followed him. He went to a nearby library." She paused, lost in the memory. Hiei walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She didn't accept the gesture, but she didn't reject it either.

"What happened then?" he asked gently.

"I found him talking to the head of the Chinese intelligence," she continued dully. "He was giving away information on top secret projects we'd been working on! I could've dealt with that, but then he said that next time he would be bringing information on a new spy who seemed to be rising fast in the ranks. When asked the name, he named me! The bastard was going to tell the Chinese everything he knew about me! I confronted him in an alley on the way back to the agency. I killed him in the fight." She moved out of Hiei's arms and leaned against the window. "He was my first kill."

"What's so wrong with that?"

"What do you mean?! I fucking loved him, and he betrayed me! I'm supposed to be okay with that?" Asilin yelled at him. Hiei watched her with shuttered eyes. "I vowed that day to never let it happen again, and it won't because I won't let anyone get that close again!"

"Yes you will. You want to." Hiei smirked.

"How would you know what I want?!"

Hiei closed the gap between the two of them and kissed her. She tried to pull away, but he put one hand on her lower back and the other at the back of her neck. He licked her lower lip to entice her to let him in. When she refused, he pulled her black hair slightly. As she gasped from surprise at the slight pain, he plunged his tongue in and explored every corner of her mouth. She moaned in pleasure against his lips. After a minute or so, he pulled away. "I know because you've never rejected my kiss," he whispered against her lips.

Asilin stared at him for a second before fleeing to her room and slamming the door. Hiei made no move to follow.

Dru

Kurama sat on the floor against the wall. He couldn't take his eyes from Dru. He was still amazed at what had happened last night. Dru had actually let him hold her. She had cried and cried until she had passed out. He had put her on the couch and covered her up. He had spent the night watching over her.
He tilted his head and smiled softly. She was always beautiful, but now she looked innocent, how she must have once upon a time.
He sighed quietly. How could anyone hurt someone so beautiful? His mind swirled with impending anger. He began thinking about how he wished that he could go back in time and keep it from happening...
But he couldn't.
"You can stop watching me," came a soft voice.
Kurama blinked. Dru's eyes were open.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough to notice. How long have you been up?"
"All night."
"You didn't sleep?"
"Couldn't, more like it."
Dru sat up and yawned. She looked at Kurama for a while. "Kurama?"
"Yes?"
"I know you care for me and that you've been trying a great deal to push through this wall I have around me. But please...you have to stop."
Kurama sighed. "Not again."
"Kurama..."
"Dru, how could you?"
"Kurama, no one can be with me. That's just the way it is. I'm in a dangerous business. I may not come home one day." She paused and looked up into Kurama's eyes. "I would never do that to someone I care about. Asilin and I...we're lone wolves. We have to keep it at friendship and nothing more."
Kurama blinked. "I can't believe you're telling me this."
"I can."
Kurama closed his eyes and lay his head back against the wall.
"I'm going to get a shower."
"Fine," he said, not looking at her.
Dru's heart clenched. She stood went to the bathroom. She sighed a moment and opened the door. "Kurama--" she froze. No one was there now. Her eyes widened and she ran to the hall way. No one. She sighed.
"Well, hell," she said, shutting the door to her apartment.

Dru had just gotten out of the shower when she heard a knock at the door. She ran to the door. "Kurama--" She froze and her eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to talk, ningen."
Dru sighed. "What do you want?"
"I came to--"
"Talk, yeah, I got that. About what?"
"Let me in and I'll tell you."
"How about you tell me now."
"How about you let me in."
"God...you're just like Kurama."
"What?"
"Nothing," Dru sighed. "Come in," she said in defeat.

Asilin

Asilin nearly fell out of bed at the knock at her door. She glanced at the clock. It read nine o'clock. 'Dru wouldn't come over this early,' she thought groggily. Stretching, she wandered out of her room and into the rest of her apartment. Glancing at the couch, her eyes clouded briefly with pain when she didn't see Hiei there. However, she shunted the feeling to the side as she walked over to the door.

It was Kurama. "How'd you get here?" Asilin asked in surprise.

"Walked, how else?" he replied.

"That's not what I meant and you know it. How'd you find me?"

"Long story short, Hiei."

"Remind me to kill him later. I suppose you should come in, but why aren't with Dru?" She frowned as she realized he wasn't where he was supposed to be.

"Another long story, but I was hoping you could help me with it."

"Fine. Get in here." Asilin stepped aside to allow Kurama to pass.

He blinked at the contrast between Asilin's and Dru's apartments. "Very interesting decoration, Asilin."

"What decoration?" she snorted. "I don't paint; I don't express myself creatively; I have very little taste in music. I keep this place as plain as the rest of my life. It's less distracting." She moved into the kitchen. "Want some coffee? I know Dru has some notion that it kills brain cells, but I need a cup to jump start me."

"Coffee would be fine." He sat at the table. She handed him a cup before sitting down across from him. They sat in silence for a few moments before Asilin put her cup down and leaned back in her chair.

"What's the problem with Dru?"

"Did I say anything about a problem?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you're here, not there, mentioned you wanted help, so put two and two together, and you get problems with Dru." She smirked. "Now spill."

So he did. He talked about what Dru had told him, told her about what he felt for Dru, went on about his lack of understanding of the whole situation. He talked for an hour before finally finishing.

"You done now?" Asilin asked, taking another drink of her root beer.

"Yeah. Can you help me?"

"Sorta." She cocked her head at him before sighing. "What you've got to understand is what she told you about her and me. We are loners," she said the last sentence slowly and distinctly.

"So are Hiei and I, but that doesn't make it wrong to love."

Asilin gave him a small smile. "Well, you two are demons. It takes a lot more to kill you guys than it does us. Believe me, I know," she stretched slightly before continuing. "So let's see, first there's the fact that she's falling for a demon, whom we have been killing for a few years now. Then there's the whole deal with her stepfather raping her. And then, of course, there's the unknown factor, which probably doesn't concern her as much as the other two do."

"I already told you this," Kurama said somewhat impatiently.

"Calm down, I just like putting everything in order before I go to the next step. So let's start with her stepfather. I don't think there's much you can do about that one beyond offering her as much care and concern as you can. It obviously wasn't a happy time for her, and I think it'll take a miracle to make her let go of that time completely."

"I keep trying to do that, but she keeps shoving me away!"

"Ever thought of asking her what you can do that won't remind her of the past? Seems to me that that's where you keep going wrong." Kurama just nodded his agreement. "I swear, you're as bad as Hiei with answering sometimes. Anyway, let's go on to the you being a demon. I know you're good, and she knows you're good, but it just takes a little getting used to. Plus there's the fact that you've lived longer than us and will continue to live after we're gone. Especially for her. It's my guess she wants someone who's only there for her. She doesn't want to be just another notch on some guy's belt like she was for her stepfather."

"But she's not! I'm human right now. She's the only one for me in this life!"

"That's right, you're a merger. But your youko form will continue on. That's not cool." She shook her head. "But maybe if you explain that to her, it'll help. Not the merger thing, but being the only one for you in this life. And then, there's the unknown. She and I are the only ones in America who can kill demons. We're sent all over the country. But the demons are getting stronger and more vicious. We can't keep up. We may have been able to beat Dhaemhon on our own, but it would've taken us longer. Chances are next time, we won't be so lucky. She doesn't want someone who loves her to go through the pain of losing her."

Kurama looked at her sharply. "What about you?"

"Me?" She laughed. "I don't count. I'm just a friend. Besides, chances are I'll be dying with her. "

"So what should I do?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," she chuckled at Kurama's surprised look. "Well, unless you can lower our chances of an early death, there's not much you can do."
"I might just be able to do that."
"How?" was her surprised response.
"Let's just keep it a surprise. That way no one will be disappointed if it falls through."
"Fine. So do you think you're good to go now?"
"Yes. Thank you, Asilin." She nodded her acknowledgement. "On another note, what's going on with you and Hiei?"
She stood up. "That's none of your business."
"What? You can help me with my problem, but I can't help you with yours?"
"It's not a problem."
"Sure. I think that you might want to take your own advice." He got up and headed for the door.
"Kurama, Dru's problems are not mine. My advice was for her not me."
"If you say so." He left Asilin alone to ponder her own issues. She heaved a sigh before going to get changed for the day. Maybe if she went out and got a new dagger, she'd be able to clear her head.

Dru

Hiei watched Dru as she watched him. Neither was trusting of the other.
"So," Dru said.
Silence.
"Yes."
"What did you want?"
Silence.
"Is there a problem."
"Maybe."
"With Asilin."
"Perhaps."
"Ok, let me put this into a language that even you can understand." She leaned forward a bit. "Hiei like Onna. Onna like Hiei but pushes him away. Hiei can't get over himself to talk to Onna's friend about what Onna's problem may be. Nod for yes, shake head for no."
Hiei glared. "You're…"
"What was that?"
"You're right," he growled.
Dru smirked. "Thought so." She settled back into her chair and crossed her arms. "I'm not too good at advice, so I'll tell you what I told Kurama."
"I'm aware of what you told him. The baka has been moping ever since."
Dru blinked. She shoved aside the pain. "Yes, well…Asilin told you about the man she was seeing?"
"Yes."
"Well there you go. There's nothing you can do about that."
Hiei sighed in irritation. "I'm aware of that."
"Hiei, if you want Asilin, then you had better shut up and listen."
Hiei's eyes narrowed. He watched Dru. "Hn."
"Thought so."
"So?"
"Asilin and I are loners. We choose to be alone because of past hurts. The fact that you're being a little more harmful than charming could also be affecting her decision to throw you away. I mean, her last love was charming, smart, funny, tall and handsome—You know, everything that you're not."
"I am NOT short!" he nearly spat.
"My point is…even though it'll mean choking down your dignity, you may have to admit some insecurities as well. Don't let her do all the talking. And if she doesn't want you, back off. Give her space. If you keep trying, she'll come around. She's like me…she's afraid of hurting or being hurt."
"What's your story?"
"My story?" Dru paused a moment, contemplating. "My story…is one you will not hear. Not today."
Hiei smirked. "Hn."
"Asilin wants you. I know it too. Give her care. Don't just jump in and attack her."
"That's it? That's all you have?"
"That's all you need. Everything else you have to accomplish on your own. Now," Dru walked to the counter and turned, pointing Alucard to Hiei's head. "Get out."
Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Fine." He stood and walked to the door. "Ningen?"
"Yes?"
"For someone not good at advice, you did all right."
Dru's eyes bugged out of her head. "Good one. Use something like that on Asilin. Only…something about…fighting She paused. "And Hiei?"
Hiei turned slightly. "What?"
"Hurt Asilin, and Alucard will be singing you to sleep, all right?"
"Hn." And with that, Hiei was gone.

Asilin

Asilin emerged from the alley flipping a new dagger. Only one place in town could provide her with a proper weapon, and, ironically, it was black market, and she was sure it had ties to the Makai. But she wouldn't turn in her best supplier unless ordered to.

She walked the streets aimlessly, noting how the people on the street avoided her like the plaque. Grinning she pulled out two more daggers and began juggling all three as she continued down the street. Soon, the impossible occurred; the street was cleared of people. Asilin laughed as she walked into the park. Behind her, the pedestrians of New York were coming out of hiding and continuing their every day life.

The park was silent and serene in its blanket of snow. Few people meandered its pathways this wintry day. Asilin shrugged off the lack of people. Personally, she wanted to be alone, and less people meant less chance of a fight. It was hard fighting in a heavy coat, and she wasn't particularly interested in removing it.

Soon she reached her favorite spot in the park, a small clearing next to the lake that could only be reached by moving through the thicket behind her. Dru and she often used this spot for training matches, but Asilin would come here if she needed the beauty of nature to calm her down. She stood and stared across the lake, her hand jammed into her coat pockets.

However, her peace was disturbed by the sense that someone was watching her. It was a familiar person, though. Sighing, she called, "Hiei, go away. I don't have time for this."

"Could we talk?" His voice was uncertain.

She shrugged. "I thought everything was said last night."

"Not...everything," he replied hesitantly. Frowning, Asilin turned around. Hiei was acting strangely.

"Where are you?"

"Up here." She glanced up into the tree next to her. Sure enough, Hiei was standing on the lowest branch looking down at her. He reached a hand down. "Join me."

"Whatever." But she clasped his arm and allowed him to pull her up. Once she was up, he moved to sit with his back against the tree. She sat in front of him, figuring, if nothing else, she could pull him down with her if she fell. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I didn't mean what I said last night," he began after a moment.

"Didn't mean what?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "To blow off something that was painful for you. Killing is second nature to me. I couldn't tell you who or when my first kill was. I spent my childhood raised by a thief who was of no relation to me. I was tossed from my home as a baby."

"Why?" she asked quietly.

He snorted derisively. "Because I was the forbidden child."

"You're part koorime?"

"Yes. My mother fell in love with a fire youko and bore my sister and me. I, however, took after our father in looks and was tossed from the island. My childhood was spent wandering, training, and stealing. No one cared for me, and I cared for no one. My only desire was to find my sister again. She's the only one I cared for, and I couldn't find her. That's why I got the jagan." He paused. Asilin remained silent and looked down at the branch.

Hearing no response, he continued, "Recently, I was caught afters stealing some artifacts. Kurama was in on it, so both he and I were given a choice. Jail or community service. We chose to help out Yusuke Urameshi and be part of the Reikai Tentai. While helping him, I found my sister and am protecting her, but she doesn't care for me as anything beyond a friend. I didn't tell her who I was, still haven't. It was at that time I started talking to you. You intriqued me, unlike anyone else I have ever met. You're a ningen, but have a desire to fight that matches any demon I've ever met. You surprised me, and I have to say I like the surprise. But I don't know what to do about it. Can you help me?" Hiei paused expectantly.

"Hiei, I-"

He cut her off. "I know I'm probably not what you're looking for, but I-" his voice dropped to a whisper. "I care about you."

"Hiei," Asilin murmured.

He sighed. "I'll leave you alone now, Asilin." He disappeared from behind her.

"Hiei! Wait!" she screamed after him. "Don't leave me," she whispered. She pulled her legs up to her chest and stared stonily ahead to prevent the tears from falling. 'What did you tell him, Dru?'

Dru

Dru sighed as the stars seemed to project his face. Ever since Hiei had told her that she had caused Kurama pain, she hadn't been able to get the stupid redhead out of his mind. She had been wracked with guilt at first, but after a while, she figured that it had been for the best.
"Don't you ever go out with your friends?" came a painfully familiar voice.
Dru looked upside down as Kurama stood over her. She sighed. "I don't have friends. I have Kheldarson." She raised an eyebrow. "What about you? Don't you have anything better to do with your time than to harass me?"
Kurama smiled. "There's not a better way to spend my time." He paused a moment as she rolled over and placed her chin on her hands. "Can I ask you something?" he asked.
"What?"
"Who did those wings on your back?"
Dru blinked and looked up. "A friend."
"Can I know about him? Was he a lover? A friend named George, a pet monkey?" he kept on.
Dru frowned. "A friend. Very close friend."
Kurama sighed. "How long did you know him for?"
"Kurama, drop it," she said, a warning tone in her voice.
"Please?"
"Kurama..." her voice trailed.
Kurama watched her intently. "Aren't you tired of fighting it?"
"Fighting what?"
"Me."
"Fighting you? In what way?"
Kurama sighed. "What round is this?"
"Pardon?"
"Let me in, push me away--it's an always repeated cycle. It's almost like a game to you. I just want to know all about you. I want to know what hurt you've endured."
Dru's eyes flared. "I told you to forget it," she pushed herself up and glared at him. "And I do not play with emotions. I am not a cruel person."
Kurama watched as she turned away. Now it was his turn to get angry. "You're mean to me. We skate together. You threaten to kill me and call me names, then you accept my dinner proposal. You grudginly invite me here. We connect. We kiss, you send me away. I come back, you tell me about your past, and I hold you. I told you that I would do anything for you--" he was now practically yelling. "I told you that I would KILL for you! And then, loe and behold, I am sent away again."
Dru's eyes narrowed. "If you don't like it, then give up. I can't make exceptions," her voice cracked. "--every time my heart beats a bit faster."
"Is that all I am to you?"
Dru looked down.
"Dru, look me in the eye and tell me how you truly feel about me!"
Dru's head snapped up. "You're annoying, eager, assuming, and overly-persistent. You won't take no for an answer and you have this horrible habit of prying and reading too much into things. But despite your annoying qualities, I'm afraid I must say I'm falling in love with you."
Kurama blinked. "Say again?"
"I love you."
"You do?"
"But I have to hate you."
"Why?"
"Because everyone who loves me winds up with a tombstone over their heads." She turned away. "I won't...I can't do that again."
"Your friend--"
She sighed in irritation. "Just...please, go."
"No. I won't let you do this."
"Fine."
"What?"
"If you won't leave," she began, sitting on the railing of the deck. "then I will." She put out her arms and fell backwards.
Kurama ran to the ledge only to see her land on her feet. He took off out of her apartment. It took him a while to reach the bottom. He ran out onto the sidewalk, looking both ways.
He heard the roar of an engine, and turned just in time to duck away from Dru on her motorcycle. He swore and watched as Dru rode off into the distance and soon became nothing more than a splotch on the horizon.